So guess who actually put on makeup? Me! It’s been forever and I day since I put on eyeshadow. I don’t know what it is about makeup that has me obsessed with writing and reading about it but not always wearing it. I mean, if you caught me in the streets, you wouldn’t even think I’ve been running a beauty blog for over 4 years. I am definitely not a walking advertisement for my blog. Which can be a good or bad thing.

Still. I don’t want to NOT wear makeup so often to the point where I forget how to actually apply it. That would be sad. And so I found these two shells on the beach and decided to scoop ‘em up.

Do you see them?

Look a little closer….

WOW! Don’t you wish every beach had eyeshadows poppin’ out of the sand?

I do. These pretty shells shadows are essence’s colour and shine eyeshadows. By the way, when I typed colour I actually said it in a British accent. 8)

Anywhoovers, at first swatch I found these shadows to be super pigmented and quite attractive.

(l-r) Blue Moon, Joyride to Jupiter

But just how well will they wear on the lid? I used Blue Moon and I didn’t have to do much work to get it to show up. It was anything but sheer. Not bad ‘at all. For the lippies, I used Stila Lipglaze in Foxy with MAC’s Vino lipliner.

Blu Moo shows up well in low light too.

You know you have too many tattoos when you spot one and say, “Oh wow, I forgot about you!” I spotted that tat on my wrist and memories flooded my mind.

Essence is still rocking my world, y’all. We’ve marveled at their mascaras and nodded at the nail polishes, but just how do their blushes fare up? Not that I want to give the post away but they are amaziiiiing! Sorry. I just couldn’t hold it in.

Retailing for only $2.49, this blush contains five colors. I like to use it all over versus using each of the shades individually. Not to mention, it would be pretty hard to do so use them solo. Although you CAN use your fingers. I am a huge proponent of using the fingers to apply blush but I used a blush brush for this one. All 5 shades feel silky smooth.

It’s a totable and travel-friendly little sucker too, isn’t it?

And doesn’t look too bad on the cheekies either.

Not bad for a $3 blush. Plus it looks so purty! You can grab it at Ulta and Ulta.com.

Ohmigoodness, I really didn’t think I’d like these glosses as much as I do. Essence has been becoming one of my favorite budget brands. They are neck in neck with my beloved e.l.f. But even e.l.f. don’t have glosses as fantastic as these.

Essence’s Stay With Me Long-Lasting Lipgloss is absolutely incredible at only $2.29 a pop. I’ve got 4 of their 6 shades and the textures are just as delicious as their names.

The perfect everyday bubble pink. I love how how creamy this is. It’ll go great on top of a cool lipstick but I don’t mind wearing it along either.

While not as opaque as I Like Cotton Candy, Candy Bar has a bit of a peachy tint to it.

Probably the most faint of them all. Perfect for when you want no-fuss lips.

The brightest and most opaque of the bunch. Trendsetter is a rockin’ bright pink that looks incredible.

Trendsetter with Flash.

Swatches of the kiddies…

I love everything about these glosses. The consistency is slightly thicker than a MAC Lipglass. Speaking of MAC Lipglass….

Who remembers the throwback 3D Glass? Heyyy!

They look to be around the same size. But with a better applicator…

I found these glosses to last a long longer than some of the higher-end glosses I’ve tried. They have a faint but pleasant berry smell. Honestly, if you’re a lipgloss lover, you practically NEED these. I mean, come on, gals…they’re only $2.29. You are hardly breakin’ the bank. 8)

Have you tried any of Essence’s lipglosses yet? Snag ‘em from Ulta stores and Ulta.com.

Oh. snap. Those were my words the minute I saw just how beautiful Essence Colour & Go nail polishes I applied. Have y’all heard of this affordable brand? They are located in Ulta and I am just lovin’ everything I’ve discovered so far. Their mascaras aren’t half bad and the polishes are totally worth the 99-cent price tag. And I’m not even kidding. These babies are less than a dollar per bottle. Cool, uh?

Have y’all ever heard of the brand Essence? They’ve been on my radar for about a year or so and I am just now beginning to dabble in some of their products. So far I’m pretty impressed. Especially with the price tag of most of their products being under $5. Their mascaras aren’t any different. Just how good can a mascara retailed around $3 be? Let’s seeee….

Instagram Is Love

2 weeks agoby clumpsofmascaraIt's okay, girl. Marvel at what's staring back at you. You are grand. Here I am (attempting) to raise this child and in a lot of ways, she's schooling me.

2 weeks agoby clumpsofmascara​Day 17: Favorite Blogger - I'm super behind on this but I'll try to finish the challenge out with a bang. THREE of my favorite bloggers - @byjillee b/c she is a fantastic writer has an incredible story and I look forward to reading all of her posts. She inspires me. @naturalhairrule because she has provided such a wealth of information in an industry that has lacked for so long. She's humble, helpful and is such a light. She makes me want to do better. @verysmartbros make me laugh, think and go, huhhhh? I love reading the Black man's perspective on pop culture, relationships and randomness. #blogging #beautyblogger #LipstickLeague

3 days agoby clumpsofmascaraAbout that illuminating blush stripes palette...sheer perfection! Can be used for highlighting, a blush, a bronzer and eye shadow. Lovin' this @ofracosmetics meetup! #CFLBeautyBlogger #OFRA #makeup

2 weeks agoby clumpsofmascaraWhen it's 73 degrees outside, you use your mixer outdoors as to not wake the toddler. Because a nap is essential to everyone's sanity. Whipping up some avocado muffins. Who am I? 4 Pinterest projects in a week? Am I my Mother?

3 weeks agoby clumpsofmascaraDay 12: Favorite nail polish. Can't pick and won't pick but I LOVE, I mean loooove just about every Cirque polish that I've ever come across. But really it's @cirquecolors Trocadero that I have been in love with for months now. #nailpolish #LipstickLeague #beautyblogger

1 week agoby clumpsofmascaraDay 22: Beauty Quote - A crazy quote for a #beautyblogger to love but it's true for me. #Makeup is fun. It's art. It can transform and inspire. It can make you feel fierce and confident. But at the end of the day, when I remove the powders, creams, mascara and gloss, I still want to embody that fierceness. So yes @lupitanyongo . I feel you, girl. #LipstickLeague

3 weeks agoby clumpsofmascaraYou may be a former #naturalhair blogger if you track your daughter's hair growth and obsess over healthy hair practices. I love her thick and luscious #hair!

2 days agoby clumpsofmascaraI will cry the day this toddler resists naps. It really is the only calm part of my day. And can we get @lupitanyongo on the cover of at least 1 magazine every month? Por favor?

1 week agoby clumpsofmascaraWash Day up in here today. Keeping it simple and sealing with grapeseed oil and some creams from @beemineproducts . #naturalhair